Homelessness Case

Good morning, I’m ___________ and today I’m talking to you about homelessness.

Imagine for a moment that you are not in this room. Your outside, its cold and you have no shelter. You have been wearing the same raggedy clothes for weeks. You are hungry but can’t afford to eat. You move each day from place to place but take nothing with you, you have no possessions. On any given night in Australia 1 in 200 people are experiencing exactly that. Homelessness is an epidemic in our society. Most people when they think of a homeless person they think of the stereotypical people that you see in movies, most of the time they are shown as a person that has a mental illness. However homeless people are just like you and me. They are people that have been faced with extremely difficult circumstances and are forced to living on the streets as a last result to their problem. I am sure that many of you have seen a homeless person on the street before. They might have sat there with a sign in front of them asking for spare change. Most of you were probably like me, you decide to give a few dollars to clear your conscience and help them get through the next day. For a long time I felt that this was okay. However I’m here speaking to you today, to challenge each of you to no longer take the easy way out when you see a homeless person. I am asking you to do more. Instead of giving them your spare change, help them. Lets put an end to this epidemic.

Homelessness is what happens when your one pay check away from losing your house. When you get laid off at work. When your husband leaves and takes the kids. When you decide you can no longer take the abuse. When you loose the last bet in poker. These are all things that can happen to anyone. We shouldn't be looking down on homeless people we should be lifting them up. However being without a home may not be your fault. 17% of the homeless in Australia are under the age of 12. Homelessness has a devastating effect on young people, weakening their lives and opportunities for the future. Most homeless children live with their families and relatives in hotels or hostels, hoping that one day they will have a proper home. Schooling is another problem. It is not easy to do well in your studies if you are constantly moving schools or have no quiet space to work. This has consequences later in life because the children lack the qualifications they need to get a good job. A homeless runaway called Chris says, “They call me a sofa surfer. It sounds fun but it isn’t. I left home a few months ago after another row with my stepfather. I just couldn't take it anymore. I stay with friend’s now- sleeping on the floor or on a sofa. I move around a lot. I want to go to college but it’s hard to focus”. Imagine what that must feel like. To be that young and have to worry about all of that. This boy has dreams and aspirations, but he may never fulfil